CAFRE are looking for ruminant feed companies to supply and deliver beef, sheep and dairy rations to the college estate.

The initial contract period runs for one year, commencing September 2025, but with the potential to extend out to September 2030. Returns are sought for the contract by Monday 18 August. The contract is worth up to £2.35m.

Dairy cow rations make up 50% of the total tender value, with 590t required annually to feed the 180-cow dairy herd. This consists of 40t of a pre-calver nut containing a minimum 18.9% crude protein (CP), 250t dairy cow blend at a minimum 22.9%CP and 300t of parlour nut with a minimum of 17.8%CP.

The contract to supply feed to suckler cow and beef enterprises potentially runs to £350,000 to include 100t annually of a bull beef ration.

A further £126,000 is potentially available for the provision of calf and heifer rations, while 8% of the tender is for sheep rations.

Meat inspectors

Meanwhile, DAERA is on the hunt for a company or organisation to supply meat inspector services to the department.

Prospective suppliers are invited to submit a tender by the deadline of Monday 18 August.

Role

A total of 55 meat inspectors working an average of 37 hours per week are required in the first two years of the contract. Their primary role is to assist the official veterinarian in the delivery of official controls in meat plants.

It will be a two-year contract commencing November 2025 with the option to extend the contract by two further periods of up to one year each.

Total value is estimated at £6.6m.